“Helen?” Pamela repeated after Ashley, wondering why the sudden charge in her voice.

Ashley recalled how Paul was just about to answer her question when Helen arrived and called him. Helen apologized for interrupting, saying she had thought that Paul was talking to himself again.

Ashley and Paul raised themselves from the floor. The atmosphere turned awkward and Ashley excused herself to her room. She didn't think anything of it until now.

At that time, it had seemed like a natural ...